Simon Sobeloff Biography

Author's Introduction:

Perhaps Judge David L. Bazelon said it best: "Simon Sobeloff was a wise
and perceptive human being, a warm friend, and a great judge." Simon E.
Sobeloff's career in the law spanned fifty-nine years, most of which were devoted
to public service.

Listen to audio of Judge Sobeloff

These audio clips come from a collection of 13 reel to reel tapes donated
in 2004 to the Thurgood Marshall Law Library by the family of Judge Sobeloff.
These audio tapes have not been "cleaned" and are presented
as they were originally recorded.

In clip one Judge Sobeloff has just been introduced as a speaker at the
District of Columbia Bar Association meeting. During the introduction
it is explained that Judge Sobeloff tried to beg off the speaking engagement
due to a bout of laryngitis. Judge Sobeloff excuses his hoarse voice in
telling a story about Mayor Broening that plays in part on accents in
Baltimore City. ca. 1957. Clip One

In clip two Judge Sobeloff discusses the origin of the
U.S. Constitution at a Rockville, Maryland Constitution
Day Celebration, ca. 1959. Clip
Two

In clip three Governor Theodore McKeldin introduces Simon Sobeloff and
other guests at a testimonial dinner in honor of Sobeloff's appointment
as Solicitor General. 1954. Clip Three

In clip four Speaker of the House Joe Martin recognizes Simon Sobeloff's
predecessors as Solicitor General and speculates on Sobeloff's contributions.
He concludes with brief comments on America's greatness. 1954. Clip
Four

In clip five Simon Sobeloff's speech acknowledges the well wishes of
the audience and relates several tales about his experiences with famous
Washington and Baltimore political figures. 1954. Clip
Five

From 1919 until his death in 1973, years which witnessed the
great political and social upheavals of the twentieth century, Judge Sobeloff
addressed himself to issues such as progressive reform at the city level, prohibition,
censorship, the great depression, war, civil rights, civil liberties, legislative
reapportionment, and reform of the criminal justice system. Consistently he
took the side of the less fortunate and the persecuted. His close friend, Governor
Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin, called him, simply, "the champion of the underdog."
Above all, Sobeloff was dedicated to the belief that the law existed to see
justice done. While recognizing that courts operate within the constraints of
statute and precedent, he refused to allow technicalities and fine legal points
to deny justice. Committed to insuring that justice did not belong only to the
wealthy and powerful, he exhibited an activist's concern that the courts take
an aggressive role in redressing grievances of politically impotent minorities.
To his way of thinking, the legal system functioned best when racial, religious,
or ethnic minorities, the poor, or the politically impotent received fair treatment.

Devoted to principle, he never hesitated to advocate an unpopular
cause and often became the center of controversy as a result. Nevertheless,
the Baltimore Sun observed that he managed to escape "most of the
obloquy that is the normal lot of persons in public life." His personality
and style had a good deal to do with the fact that a reporter, after reviewing
"voluminous newspaper articles and editorials," found "almost
nothing of a censorious nature." He was a kind and gentle man who avoided
excessive partisanship. His family knew him as a devoted husband, loving father,
and a doting grandfather. Friends remarked on his personal magnetism, loyalty,
integrity, intelligence, charm, and wit.